Filed under Travel and Entertainment on October 23rd, 2008:
3 Little Known Caribbean Hot Spots
This year when you leave your Jacksonville home for vacation, wouldn’t it be exciting to go somewhere brand new? For a travel enthusiast there is nothing more exhilarating than landing in a new land and exploring a whole new world you never knew existed. New sights, sounds and scents in the air…new natives to meet…new shops to visit…new cuisine to taste.
Here are some less frequented Caribbean vacation hot spots you might not have ever heard of. Research and book your trip online, then be on your way. You just might not want to come back.
Vieques
Vieques is a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico. In recent years Vieques has become a hot spot, especially for celebrities. You won’t find many major resorts in Vieques, although the ‘W’ Retreat and Spa will be opening in April 2009. To fully enjoy the island life, most tourists choose to rent a vacation home and live as locals do. The
restaurant scene is growing, giving Vieques visitors more dining options.
There aren’t any direct flights to the island so you’ll want to fly to San Juan and take it from there. Once in San Juan, choose between a 20-minute flight or a one-hour ferry ride. You’ll need a rental car to explore the hilly, undeveloped island. If you want to enjoy the remoteness and affordability of Vieques, get there soon. Tourism is expected to flourish on this island, making it a booming hot spot.
Saba
Saba is a tiny island in the Caribbean. It’s known as ‘The Rock’ because it has a rugged and mountainous terrain. Saba is a sister island to St. Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles. It is only 5 square miles in size.
Saba is a tranquil and mostly undiscovered island, perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking and relaxation. Since the terrain is rugged, there are not many beaches on Saba.
Saba may not be a good destination for the nervous flier, its airstrip is one of the shortest in the Caribbean. You can reach Saba via a 15-minute flight from St. Maarten. There are only about a dozen hotels and resorts on the island, most notably The Queen’s Gardens, an elegant luxury resort.
Bequia
Bequia is one of 32 islands in St Vincent & Grenadines, a collection of enchanting islands and cays, west of Barbados. If you like a quiet environment to explore Caribbean beauty, you’ll love Bequia. Common past-times are scuba diving, sailing, swimming and fishing.
Because there is no international airport in the area, Bequia has remained unspoiled. Barbados is the best place to catch your 45-minute flight to the beautiful island of Bequia. There are not many hotels and resorts on this island but check out the highly rated Spring House.
Make your Caribbean travel plans today and enjoy a brand new vacation adventure this winter.